November 26 / 14.50 Gowran Park

14.50

Heavy

Glanbia Novice Handicap Hurdle

  • Prize money: £7436.97
  • 2m 0f 0y
  • 12 runners
RTV
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Glanbia Novice Handicap Hurdle

Runners: 12 runners

Type: Hurdle Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £9.60
  • Place: £2.60

Form: 060622

Last run: 30 days

W: 10st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Improved with each start of late and only beaten roughly 2l by Hey Johnny earlier this month; better off at the weights but this is tougher and he'll need to progress again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

31st Mar 2026

Soft

2m 1f 200y

18:42 Limerick

Marelly

10st 0lb

J: Shane O’Callaghan

T: P J Rothwell

Second runner for yard; course hurdle winner won at Gowran in January and ran well here last time; was poor when last seen over fences though, so questions to answer in that respect.

5/1

33/1

  • Place: £4.80

Form: 344635

Last run: 4 days

W: 10st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won at Cartmel earlier in the year and fairly consistent since but this is a stiff task from 4lb out of the handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

8

(2)

2nd Apr 2026

Standard

2m 0f 102y

Class 6

19:48 Southwell (AW)

A Mere Bagatelle

9st 4lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: James Owen

Four wins over jumps for previous yard; 0-7 (Flat/hurdles) for current stable but remains in form and has a fighting chance off current mark provided he takes well to the surface on belated AW debut.

9/2

2nd

2

14th Mar 2026

Soft

2m 3f 29y

Class 5

14:00 Fontwell

A Mere Bagatelle

11st 12lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Ex-Irish gelding who's looked high enough in the weights since returned to hurdles for his current yard; well held off a 3lb higher mark at Sedgefield last time and needs to improve on that, albeit he's been found a weak-looking race.

3/1

4th

3

19th Feb 2026

2m 3f 188y

Class 5

15:43 Sedgefield

A Mere Bagatelle

12st 0lb

J: Alex Chadwick

T: James Owen

Ex-Irish; yet to win for new yard, but fair second of five at Lingfield when dropped back to 2m last time (heavy); should improve on back at 2m4f.

13/2

6/1

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 4-F214 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 11st 4lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Had shown a decent level of form prior to getting off the mark in a maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in July and only weakened out of things late on when fourth of six in a novice at Wexford last month; more to come and this mark is workable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

6th Aug 2025

Good

2m 0f 0y

19:52 Wexford

Itwasfate

11st 4lb

J: Darragh O’Keeffe

T: Henry De Bromhead

Sole win over hurdles came in 2022; some fine runs in defeat over fences since including a close third in this race in 2023; has been missing since February 2024 but has been given a chance by the handicapper; market strength could indicate his readiness.

4/1

6th

5

15th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 0f 82y

16:05 Clonmel

Itwasfate

11st 12lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

disputed lead early, raced in second from 1st, mistake 7th, joined leader after 3 out, led home turn

11/4

2nd

12

12th Jan 2024

Soft

2m 0f 0y

13:12 Naas

Itwasfate

10st 6lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: Henry De Bromhead

prominent, challenging when carried left before last, jumped slightly left last, soon ridden, kept on well towards finish, just held

14/1

Form: /8439- BF

Last run: 240 days

W: 10st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Beaten 7l when third of 20 in a handicap hurdle at Navan last season; lesser effort at Naas when last seen and this is a tough ask on return.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

1

21st Oct 2025

Good

2m 7f 207y

Class 4

17:15 Perth

Champ Royal

12st 0lb

J: Nathan Moscrop

T: Susan Corbett

Placed off 1lb higher at Catterick (3m1f, soft) in January but the rest of last season's form was disappointing and this is first start since February; others have much stronger claims.

33/1

7th

5

14th Feb 2025

Soft

2m 6f 151y

Class 4

13:50 Kelso

Champ Royal

11st 8lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Susan Corbett

taken down early, in touch with leaders on inner

10/1

3rd

6

31st Jan 2025

Soft

3m 1f 71y

Class 4

15:35 Catterick

Champ Royal

11st 7lb

J: Conor Rabbitt

T: Susan Corbett

led, headed and not fluent 2 out, lost second and no extra run-in

16/1

Form: 1-6 CD

Last run: 7 days

W: 11st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 119

Form & Verdict
C&D winner (heavy) on debut in March but beaten a long way out on last week's return; needs to leave that run behind.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

17

17th Feb 2024

Heavy

2m 4f 20y

14:52 Gowran Park

Backintheroom

11st 1lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Paul Nolan

towards rear, mistake 8th, pulled up before last

20/1

8th

4

27th Jan 2024

Soft

3m 2f 0y

13:40 Fairyhouse

Backintheroom

11st 10lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Paul Nolan

Half-brother to his trainer's Pertemps winner Mrs Milner, so stamina should not be an issue; however, little of note in his form since a maiden hurdle win at Gowran on debut in March 2022; was staying on in fourth when falling at the last on his handicap chase debut in a 2m4f contest at Naas last month.

8/1

0

3

17th Dec 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 4f 100y

14:55 Navan

Backintheroom

11st 11lb

J: Richard Deegan

T: Paul Nolan

midfield

9/1

Form: 235123

Last run: 13 days

W: 11st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Downpatrick maiden hurdle winner last month and solid runs in defeat twice since; can give another good account but he looks more exposed than some of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

5th Apr 2026

Good

2m 7f 191y

Class 4

15:23 Market Rasen

Rodney Bay

11st 2lb

J: Harry Reed

T: Nick Scholfield

Just 1-24 over hurdles when based in Ireland and was pulled up (albeit on slow ground) on chasing debut in February; ran well to a point when back over hurdles for new stable ten days ago (first-time cheekpieces) but was well held in the end; others look safer.

6/1

8th

6

26th Mar 2026

Good

2m 7f 131y

Class 5

16:50 Chepstow

Rodney Bay

11st 9lb

J: Jack Quinlan

T: Nick Scholfield

Had modest 2-44 strike-rate under rules when based in Ireland and was pulled up in a chase on latest outing five weeks ago; not an easy one to weigh up but might have been perked up by recent stable switch; wears first-time cheekpieces; well worth a glance in the market.

7/1

Form: 500-P4

Last run: 6 days

W: 10st 0lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
10-race maiden; shown some promise but this is a tough race to be 4lb out of the handicap in.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

13th May 2026

Good

3m 1f 170y

Class 5

20:00 Newton Abbot

Fongs Way

12st 0lb

J: Mr Michael Treneer

T: Miss Jessica Jayne Fereday-Jones

This is a belated first run over regulation fences and he's only 1-15 in points; looks outclassed.

50/1

9

17th May 2023

Soft

2m 2f 110y

Class 4

14:05 Newton Abbot

Fongs Way

10st 3lb

J: Bryony Frost

T: Jimmy Frost

Ran reasonably on occasions but unplaced in all nine hurdle starts in Ireland; stable debut after five months off and best watched.

20/1

Form: 906460

Last run: 15 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
1-12 on Flat and 0-10 over hurdles; well held in a novice at Cheltenham last time; plenty to prove on recent form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

15

25th Jul 2024

Good

2m 0f 150y

19:05 Wexford

Astrophysicist

11st 7lb

J: Danny Gilligan

T: J A Nash

First reserve; Flat winner is 0-18 over hurdles but not bad efforts in this sphere the last twice; still needs more.

11th

12

(4)

17th Jul 2024

Good

1m 3f 103y

19:50 Killarney

Astrophysicist

8st 12lb

J: Sean Davis

T: J A Nash

soon led, headed over 2f out, soon weakened

33/1

Form: 70-5

Last run: 28 days

W: 10st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Struggled in maiden hurdles so far and this looks like a tough ask now handicapping.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

7

11th May 2026

Good

1m 7f 182y

Class 5

16:42 Southwell

McGrath From Clune

11st 0lb

J: Aidan Weaver

T: Tom Gretton

Ended last year in good form over fences but was pulled after a break at Hereford in March and it's over a year since he last ran over hurdles (0-12 in this discipline).

16/1

4

25th Mar 2026

Good

2m 0f 8y

Class 5

15:00 Hereford

McGrath From Clune

10st 12lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Tom Gretton

C&D winner in November and ran well when second at Newcastle (2m, good to soft) 11 days later; looked the likeliest winner before unseating late at Taunton in December and now needs to bounce back from a disappointing run at Fontwell on Boxing Day (jumped right); tough mark but remains of interest with Sean Bowen booked.

9/2

OUR TIP

Form: 1- CD

Last run: 280 days

W: 11st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
20-1 C&D winner of a maiden hurdle on debut in similar ground 280 days ago; improvement likely on yard/handicap debut here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

20th Mar 2023

Soft To Heavy

2m 0f 0y

14:20 Navan

Enchanted Magic

11st 11lb

J: Ben Harvey

T: C A McBratney

Won a maiden hurdle last season but has shown nothing in two starts since and was beaten a long way out last time; tongue-tie needs to have dramatic effect.

25/1

15th

6

19th Feb 2023

Yielding To Soft

2m 7f 115y

15:45 Punchestown

Enchanted Magic

11st 2lb

J: Sean Flanagan

T: C A McBratney

Made a winning debut in a 2m Gowran maiden last year when trained by Eoin Doyle; flopped in a Gowran handicap on only start for Willie Mullins; has changed stable again and tackles a new trip.

25/1

Form: 08-31U D BF

Last run: 15 days

W: 11st 2lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 110

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in a Clonmel handicap hurdle last month and unseated when favourite for a Cheltenham novice earlier this month; can be forgiven that and may resume progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

22th

18

30th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

15:05 Fairyhouse

Hey Johnny

10st 7lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Thomas Mullins

midfield

100/1

22th

18

30th Nov 2024

Yielding

2m 4f 55y

15:05 Fairyhouse

Hey Johnny

10st 7lb

J: Jody McGarvey

T: Thomas Mullins

midfield

100/1

12th

3

3rd Nov 2024

Good

2m 0f 60y

13:10 Cork

Hey Johnny

11st 10lb

J: Jordan Gainford

T: Thomas Mullins

midfield

33/1

Form: 8613 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 10st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Maiden hurdle winner at Tramore in August and respectable third in an Ayr novice latest but his handicap mark looks too high.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

10th Aug 2025

Good

2m 5f 180y

16:52 Downpatrick

Benz

12st 0lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: R K Watson

Weak Tramore maiden hurdle winner in 2022 (2m, good); some reasonable efforts following that, particularly a nose second behind the decent Meetingofthewaters at Cork later that year (2m4f, yielding to soft); generally poor form since then but some of his best recent runs have been here, 6l fourth of 13 over C&D last time (behind Georgia Celena); others preferred.

12/1

3

15th Jul 2025

Good

2m 5f 185y

15:48 Downpatrick

Benz

11st 12lb

J: Mike O’Connor

T: R K Watson

Lost his form last summer and fell on return at Down Royal; others make more appeal.

22/1

Non-runners

Benz

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta €140.00
Straight Forecast €166.87
Tricast €1639.09
Trifecta €920.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Enchanted Magic

RP Ratings (IRE):

Itwasfate

TOPSPEED:

A Mere Bagatelle

The Irish Sun:

Enchanted Magic

POSTDATA:

Itwasfate